Portfolio

Walsingham youth pilgrimage 2008

Affinity was delighted to manage the  2008 Youth Event at Walsingham for the second year running. Our team of event and production managers worked with the organisers for several months, creating an infrastructure, planning the layout of the campsite, obtaining technical equipment and liaising with volunteer teams.

Unfortunately, the 2007 sun did not show its face. Instead, heavy rain and hail caused flash flooding. A 6-inch river ran through the Big Top and piles of ice appeared around site. Affinity’s event and steward managers worked successfully on traffic, site and venue plans to overcome this, enabling the final event to take place in a dried-out Big Top. Departures went ahead without a hitch.

A new addition for 2008 was an ecumenical service. We are already looking forward to next year!

“Thank you for managing with such consummate professionalism. Already the Youth Pilgrimage is unimaginable without Affinity Events.  Creating safe space is vital in enabling it to happen.

“I was especially impressed with the way departure from the site was managed. Pass on my thanks to the team - they were absolutely first rate.” 

Father Philip North

Posted in Charity & Event Campsites & Not For Profit & Testimonials & Youth Events

Lambeth Conference

Following our appointment as the Lambeth Conference event manager, Affinity started an 18-month planning process with the conference organisers. Regular meetings took place with various teams including: emergency services; infrastructure suppliers; venue managers; stewards; technical suppliers; local authorities in Canterbury and London; catering co-ordinators.

This communication between groups of interested people led to the compilation of a complex operating plan for the conference, supplying everyone with relevant information to ensure the effective delivery of the conference.

The planning process culminated in the conference build starting 10 days before the arrival of the delegates, with the main venue being specifically designed and built for the Lambeth Conference.

The Conference lasted for three weeks with delegates taking part in plenary and group sessions. Affinity set up an exhibition area for 45 exhibitors . A full, three-week programme for the bishops’ spouses and over 60 fringe events became an integral part of the overall programme. Affinity Events managed the Walk of Witness, one of London’s biggest faith demonstrations supporting the delivery of the Millenium Goals, as part of the conference activity.

Affinity is proud to have been associated with this momentous event.

“I would like to underline my gratitude to you and all your colleagues at Affinity Events for all that you contributed. I am under no illusions about the complexity of the logistics for which you were responsible, both in Canterbury and on the London day”

 

Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams

Posted in Conferences & Exhibitions & Meetings & Seminars & Not For Profit & Receptions & Dinners & Technical Production & Testimonials

UKEMS, NordEMS, MEG & IGG 2008 International Joint Congress

After the success of the 2007 conference, we have completed a second conference with UKEMS.  Every year the event has a different local organiser, so UKEMS have found using Affinity particularly useful in terms of guaranteeing quality, professionalism and ensuring that continuity is maintained.  In order to enable UKEMS to save on the budget this year, it provided a number of volunteers to work in the Affinity team, reducing the onsite staffing requirement and overall cost.

The four-day event involved 130 delegates, an exhibition, poster display and conference dinner.  Affinity handled all logistics including registration, abstract management, technical, printing, accommodation, transport, venue liaison and on the day management.

“Thanks for everything you and your staff did for the conference.  I believe it was a huge success and most of that was down to Affinity”

Christine Mason, Treasurer UKEMS

“Just a quick email to say thank you (again), the meeting wouldn’t have happened without you Affinity and your excellent organisational skills meant everything ran wonderfully at the meeting.”

Prof Caroline Austin, Newcastle University

Posted in Academic & Conferences & Delegate Services & Exhibitions & Not For Profit & Receptions & Dinners & Testimonials

Association for Coaching Conference Spring 2008

The Association for Coaching is a long-standing client of Affinity Events and we were delighted to be involved in its expanded UK conference again this year.  We provided delegate registration, onsite delegate services and onsite management. We also provided a specialist in technical services who supported the 30+ speakers in their PowerPoint and video presentations, resulting in a smooth and stress-free conference for the speakers and conference organisers

“Just to say thanks so much for the brilliant job you and your team did for us.  It was great having you there and your professionalism shone through.”

Sheree Owen, Conference Director, Association for Coaching

Posted in Conferences & Corporate & Delegate Services & Not For Profit & Receptions & Dinners & Testimonials

Tupacproject UK Launch

When Limehouse Arts Foundation organised the UK exhibition of Paolo Chiasera’s Tupacproject Affinity Events were the natural choice for technical support.  Working to tight timescales and in a challenging environment; we provided technical support including outdoor display and architectural lighting for this Art Project.  During this project we worked with the curator to ensure that things were done in harmony with the purpose of the work.

Posted in Not For Profit & Technical Production

Cardiff University International Conference

Despite taking over Cardiff City Centre for Christian Aid, we were also working in another venue on the same day – this time continuing our close relationship with Cardiff University. Our conference team have been working for over a year on the preparations for this international conference which took place at Cardiff City Hall and the Museum of Cardiff.

The four day event for 450 delegates, saw Affinity manage all aspects of the event – from delegate management and online bookings to dealing with the production of delegate badging, technical production and onsite management. We also helped to floor manage the conference dinner which took place one evening during the event.

Posted in Academic & Conferences & Delegate Services & Not For Profit & Technical Production

Youth Camping Event

As a major provider of event management services, we were pleased to be awarded the contract to manage the 2007 Youth Event at Walsingham.  Our teams of event and production managers have been working with the organisers for the last few months to organise the infrastructure, plan the campsite and organise the technical equipment.

We provided a team of event managers to roll-out the site, manage the event and clear away everything at the end.

The event was a great success and we are already looking forward to next year.

Posted in Event Campsites & Festivals & Not For Profit & Technical Production & Youth Events

UKEMS / GSN Congress - Cardiff University

Our academic events team have just completed our first event for the joint UKEMS annual Congress which took place at Cardiff University in conjunction with GSN.  We have been working with the organisers and Cardiff University for the last few months on this event including planning the conference and managing the exhibition (which included some blue chip companies).  Our team also provided onsite event management and delegate management for this international event.

Posted in Conferences & Not For Profit

Arts Council Training Day

As well as managing events for clients, Affinity Events offers training and consultancy services to companies, charities and government bodies.  The Arts Council (Manchester) approached Affinity in April 2007 to train twelve of their project management staff.

Although the training was originally designed to cover finding and managing venues, all areas of event management were covered with case studies, anecdotes and tips and tricks from our experience over the years and events that we’ve organised.

The training was well received, with the participants suggesting that they would like us to come back and spend some further time with them.

Posted in Not For Profit & Workshops & Training

Women’s World Day of Prayer

Affinity were appointed as Event Managers for the 3 services being held in London, Bristol and Leeds to celebrate 75 years of the organisation.

Each service Affinity provided technical support, stewarding and catering support plus at each service we had a medical emergency which was handled very promptly by the team Affinity had brought in to manage First Aid.

Posted in Conferences & Not For Profit & Technical Production